Swisscom has started a pilot project that harnesses DSL+LTE bonding technology to increase bandwidth intensive services such as HD video streaming and new cloud services. The operator has developed an innovative LTE receiver that picks up the mobile data stream and passes it on via WLAN to the DSL router. The router is equipped with intelligent software that combines the mobile and fixed-line data streams, thereby providing customers with additional speed.
After successful tests in the laboratory and with Swisscom employees, a pilot trial has been scheduled this month involving selected residential customers. The DSL-LTE bonding is expected to deliver bandwidths of up to 20 Mbps in its initial phase. The availability of DSL+LTE bonding and the actual bandwidth are determined by the length of the copper fixed line and the 3G or 4G mobile coverage at the customer’s home, said the operator.
